腹心(ふくしん)

ふくしん
noun
confidant, trusted associate
1. confidant, right-hand man, trusted associate
A person whom one trusts completely, especially someone who serves as a close advisor or loyal aide to a leader. Often used in political, military, and historical contexts.
彼(かれ)は社長(しゃちょう)の腹心(ふくしん)だ。
He is the president's right-hand man.
将軍(しょうぐん)は腹心(ふくしん)の部下(ぶか)にだけ計画(けいかく)を明(あ)かした。
The general revealed the plan only to his most trusted subordinates.
長年(ながねん)の腹心(ふくしん)であった側近(そっきん)が突然(とつぜん)裏切(うらぎ)った。
The close aide who had been his confidant for many years suddenly betrayed him.

USAGE:
A literary and somewhat formal word. The characters literally mean 'belly' (腹(はら)) and 'heart' (心(こころ)), evoking the idea of someone to whom one can open one's innermost thoughts. Often appears in historical dramas, novels, and political reporting.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 腹心(ふくしん)の部下(ぶか): trusted subordinate
  • 腹心(ふくしん)の友(とも): bosom friend
  • 腹心(ふくしん)を置(お)く: to keep a confidant close

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 側近(そっきん): close aide — focuses on physical proximity to a leader, while 腹心(ふくしん) emphasizes deep trust
  • 懐刀(ふところがたな): trusted right-hand person — a more colorful expression with similar meaning
general
Added 2026.2.27 17:30
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